2024/2025 Season trade rumours and speculation thread

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The other thing about adding Pettersson, or making the shift to adding to this team as a opposed to continuing to rebuild is: while the goaltending has been great, and Wolf is looking like everything we hoped he could be, people need to remember that he is still being sheltered by Huska (another reason why Huska is doing a great job).

Lots of people calling for Wolf to play more, but for a kid his age, it is better to acclimatize to the NHL slowly. Huska is only giving him half the games, and most of those are at home, where the Flames have been pretty damn terrific most of the time. Which I believe is great coaching.

All this talk that the Flames aren't going to get any worse, and we should start adding, assumes that Wolf can carry the load as a #1. IMO, it is too early to throw that on him. This is still his first full season in the NHL. Huska is doing it right, and we need to remain patient.

It’s not that we need to add now to get better this season. It’s the fact that we’re just unlikely to crater barring some unforeseen injury so we should be prepared and open to alternative ways to build the team (including trading for a young or prime age #1 center, a rarely available asset).

Just because you nab Petterson (for example) doesn’t mean you kick out the training wheels and throw Wolf to the wolves. You still keep your development strategy going.

But the reality is that if Wolf stays on this trajectory it’s going to be very, very hard to get a lot worse as he continues to get better. Sure, Andersson getting traded hurts and some guys get older, but all it takes is having the younger guys take a step and you find yourself right back to where you are. It’s not like everyone is having a career year.

I think Zary, Wolf, Pospisil, and Coronato will all be better next year. Then you have wildcards in Parekh, Kerins, Honzek, Solo, etc that could pop. Plus you have Huberdeau finding his game again and a mountain of cap space that’s not just going to go completely unspent. Plus a great coach.

So maybe things so sideways and they fall off. But people have been predicting them to be worse than they are since the beginning of the season. Every week is just one week away from when the wheels start to fall off… unless they don’t.

[Enoch Root]

I am starting to doubt they fall off significantly this year (though I still think we'll miss the playoffs), but I continue to believe next year will be worse, not better.

I don't see any prospects that are going to make the team better NEXT YEAR, but I do see a number of players who are on the slippery side of the 30s hill.

I also would not be at all surprised if Wolf had a bit of a tougher sophomore year.

I just think it's too early to change lanes.

And yes, adding Pettersson is definitely a lane change.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

It’s not that we need to add now to get better this season. It’s the fact that we’re just unlikely to crater barring some unforeseen injury so we should be prepared and open to alternative ways to build the team (including trading for a young or prime age #1 center, a rarely available asset).

Just because you nab Petterson (for example) doesn’t mean you kick out the training wheels and throw Wolf to the wolves. You still keep your development strategy going.

But the reality is that if Wolf stays on this trajectory it’s going to be very, very hard to get a lot worse as he continues to get better. Sure, Andersson getting traded hurts and some guys get older, but all it takes is having the younger guys take a step and you find yourself right back to where you are. It’s not like everyone is having a career year.

I think Zary, Wolf, Pospisil, and Coronato will all be better next year. Then you have wildcards in Parekh, Kerins, Honzek, Solo, etc that could pop. Plus you have Huberdeau finding his game again and a mountain of cap space that’s not just going to go completely unspent. Plus a great coach.

So maybe things so sideways and they fall off. But people have been predicting them to be worse than they are since the beginning of the season. Every week is just one week away from when the wheels start to fall off… unless they don’t.

Do you see Huberdeau, Kadri, Coleman all getting better next season?

We can't let a fluke season blind us; this team will be bad next season. We have no elite talent coming in to make up for the drop in offence and prop up others around them.

We have no centers coming down the pipeline either, and I just don't see the goals in this lineup.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I am starting to doubt they fall off significantly this year (though I still think we'll miss the playoffs), but I continue to believe next year will be worse, not better.

I don't see any prospects that are going to make the team better NEXT YEAR, but I do see a number of players who are on the slippery side of the 30s hill.

I also would not be at all surprised if Wolf had a bit of a tougher sophomore year.

I just think it's too early to change lanes.

And yes, adding Pettersson is definitely a lane change.

I think without trading for a center the flames will eventually get the elite talent they need. Below is a timeline I sort of see under the scenario that they do not get a top line center through a trade. I did not count the 2025 draft but I suppose they might find a center at one of their two first round spots this year (say 25th and 29th for arguments sake). But I think it is the 2028 draft where they can really start to get some of the elite top 5 talent they need.

25/26 should not be too bad of a year for the Flames, probably pick around 11 or so. Still enough talent up front to compete and decent goaltending.

26/27 should be a better year for the tank with the centers getting older. Some of the young wingers and dmen should offset that a bit and decent goaltending will help as well, I say they draft around 7th or 8th that year.

27/28 is where the rebuild should really start, decent wingers, defence and goaltending should not offset the lack of good centers. This year is a top 5 year in the draft I think.

28/29 should also be a good tank year for the rebuild. Maybe if we get a decent center prospect in the 2025 draft they can play in the NHL this year. I say top 5.

29/30 probably a slight rebound from the 28/29 year. The flames should have at least one young center contributing at this point from the 2025-2029 draft classes. I say they rebound to drafting around 9 or 10 this year.

30/31 - start to turn the corner, have a number of decent young centers under the age of 23 by this time in the organization. Probably at times looks like a playoff team but ends up drafting around 12th.

31/32 - this team could make the playoffs.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I still think they are going to be worse next year than they are this year. That is a long way away and we shall see, but I think it's too early to try and start adding to this team. The core is flawed. Their primary forwards are all in their 30s, and will be declining before any serious help can be brought in.

You add to a team when you have a core that you can build around, a core that is in their prime or - preferably - just entering their prime. The Flames have no one that is early in their prime except Andersson and maybe Sharangovich. They simply don't have a core of players to add to.

The Flames have old players and young players (with little in the middle). They need to remain focused on adding youth and building a future core.

Agreed. Backlund and Coleman are due to fall off a cliff soon, and nobody in the system is going to step in and play those minutes that effectively.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

I think without trading for a center the flames will eventually get the elite talent they need. Below is a timeline I sort of see under the scenario that they do not get a top line center through a trade. I did not count the 2025 draft but I suppose they might find a center at one of their two first round spots this year (say 25th and 29th for arguments sake). But I think it is the 2028 draft where they can really start to get some of the elite top 5 talent they need.

25/26 should not be too bad of a year for the Flames, probably pick around 11 or so. Still enough talent up front to compete and decent goaltending.

26/27 should be a better year for the tank with the centers getting older. Some of the young wingers and dmen should offset that a bit and decent goaltending will help as well, I say they draft around 7th or 8th that year.

27/28 is where the rebuild should really start, decent wingers, defence and goaltending should not offset the lack of good centers. This year is a top 5 year in the draft I think.

28/29 should also be a good tank year for the rebuild. Maybe if we get a decent center prospect in the 2025 draft they can play in the NHL this year. I say top 5.

29/30 probably a slight rebound from the 28/29 year. The flames should have at least one young center contributing at this point from the 2025-2029 draft classes. I say they rebound to drafting around 9 or 10 this year.

30/31 - start to turn the corner, have a number of decent young centers under the age of 23 by this time in the organization. Probably at times looks like a playoff team but ends up drafting around 12th.

31/32 - this team could make the playoffs.

I don't disagree with the plan, but if you think Edwards is going to start tanking when we open the new arena I don't know what to say.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Do you see Huberdeau, Kadri, Coleman all getting better next season?

We can't let a fluke season blind us; this team will be bad next season. We have no elite talent coming in to make up for the drop in offence and prop up others around them.

We have no centers coming down the pipeline either, and I just don't see the goals in this lineup.

I think Huberdeau improves, Kadri slows a bit, and Coleman is about the same as this year. I think the drop off in those guys is made up by an uptick from the under 25 guys.

This isn’t a fluke season. It’s not like a lot of luck is going this team’s way. Their expected goals are pretty closely in line with their actual goals. This is a season where, on average, everyone is playing to the level you expect them to play. For every guy that might be a bit better, you’ve got a guy that’s a bit worse.

The things I see as most unsustainable are the guys underperforming against potential or still growing. Wolf, for example, has more to give than .906 and 2.55, and I think he’ll prove that over the next calendar year.

I get the fact that we don’t have an elite forward coming down the pipe. But it’s not like there’s an elite forward that they’d be replacing. I don’t see them being a whole lot better next year, but I would need more convincing than “they won’t get better” to convince me they’ll get a whole lot worse.

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

31/32 - this team could make the playoffs.

You think they’re going to tie for the second longest playoff drought in NHL history?

That’s a monumental failure.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I still think they are going to be worse next year than they are this year. That is a long way away and we shall see, but I think it's too early to try and start adding to this team. The core is flawed. Their primary forwards are all in their 30s, and will be declining before any serious help can be brought in.

You add to a team when you have a core that you can build around, a core that is in their prime or - preferably - just entering their prime. The Flames have no one that is early in their prime except Andersson and maybe Sharangovich. They simply don't have a core of players to add to.

The Flames have old players and young players (with little in the middle). They need to remain focused on adding youth and building a future core.

But they got much back...

[Jason14h]

The issue isn’t just that they won’t get much better , but more so they aren’t very good to start with

This is actually the worse thing about this team . Not a lot of options to get better outside of some very shrewd FA signings - and those are very rare - all going all in on a trade if a superstar becomes available

Mushy mushy mushy

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Agreed. Backlund and Coleman are due to fall off a cliff soon, and nobody in the system is going to step in and play those minutes that effectively.

Plus, there is a strong chance both of these players get moved before next year's TDL.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I think Huberdeau improves, Kadri slows a bit, and Coleman is about the same as this year. I think the drop off in those guys is made up by an uptick from the under 25 guys.

This isn’t a fluke season. It’s not like a lot of luck is going this team’s way. Their expected goals are pretty closely in line with their actual goals. This is a season where, on average, everyone is playing to the level you expect them to play. For every guy that might be a bit better, you’ve got a guy that’s a bit worse.

The things I see as most unsustainable are the guys underperforming against potential or still growing. Wolf, for example, has more to give than .906 and 2.55, and I think he’ll prove that over the next calendar year.

I get the fact that we don’t have an elite forward coming down the pipe. But it’s not like there’s an elite forward that they’d be replacing. I don’t see them being a whole lot better next year, but I would need more convincing than “they won’t get better” to convince me they’ll get a whole lot worse.



You think they’re going to tie for the second longest playoff drought in NHL history?

That’s a monumental failure.

That is the issue, we have no elite talent coming in so how is this team going to stay the same or get any better?

Kadri and Backlund are going to fall off a cliff and they are our only 2 natural centers.

The team is bottom of the league in goals for, PK, faceoffs, HDCF and a negative goal difference and somehow in a playoff spot. If this isn't a fluke, I don't know what is.

We just don't have enough game breaking young talent coming into make a difference, we are likely to be much worse next season. We actually are bad this year, the record just doesn't indicate it thanks to Wolf.

[FlamesAddiction]

Regarding Pettersson, I suspect that if he really is going to be traded before his NMC kicks in, the Canucks will be trying to do a lateral move as opposed to a trade that brings back multiple assets or futures. I know with things like cap hit and almost every player close to his age and calibre having NMCs, it's a lot easier said than done. They may end up having to look at quantity over quality and that is where the Flames may have a chance. They will probably bide their time and take it down to the wire if that is the case though.

Just living vicariously through Canucks fans who have watched him all season, it sounds like Pettersson is trying too hard to set up his line mates to score and in doing so, passes up prime opportunities to score himself. He has one of the best shots in the NHL, but then decides to make an extra pass for seemingly no reason. Some seem to believe that he is doing this on purpose to make a point because it is no secret that that part of his attitude problem is that he isn't getting the top line guys on his line. It's just speculation and people could be reading into something that isn't there, but if true, that is a problem.

[Paulie Walnuts]

What about the Rangers? Zibanejab and plus for Pettersson? He fits their age range 30 plus RHS center.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

What about the Rangers? Zibanejab and plus for Pettersson? He fits their age range 30 plus RHS center.

That’s a move I’d love the Canucks to make.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

That is the issue, we have no elite talent coming in so how is this team going to stay the same or get any better?

Kadri and Backlund are going to fall off a cliff and they are our only 2 natural centers.

The team is bottom of the league in goals for, PK, faceoffs, HDCF and a negative goal difference and somehow in a playoff spot. If this isn't a fluke, I don't know what is.

We just don't have enough game breaking young talent coming into make a difference, we are likely to be much worse next season. We actually are bad this year, the record just doesn't indicate it thanks to Wolf.

Messing up the draft pick this year is for sure pushing the rebuild out another year and making the road back to actual regular competitiveness longer... I think everybody knows it is still needed but I'd say enjoy the run for what it's worth in the short term, out of our control anyway and maybe we can do some damage to the Coilers or the Canucks during their window. Also given what a huge mess Treliving made of the draft pick anyway, if there's a year to say eff it and go for it a bit with a bad team this is probably it

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Bonded

That’s a move I’d love the Canucks to make.

Makes sense both teams want to shake it up, Vancouver wants to build around old man Miller.

Maybe a bigger deal. Pettersson/Boeser for Kreider/Zibanejad/2nd rd pick.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by TOfan

I still think Fredman’s suggested Pettersen - Cozens/Byram swap makes the most sense.



Any trade for Pettersen, I bet, would be a win now move opposed to what the Flames could offer, which would be draft capital/prospects as the most valuable assets they currently have. Specifically their 2025 picks (NJ & Fla) both look to be high twenties. I don’t believe those will move the needle much in Vancouver’s eyes. I don’t think the Flames have the assets to make this move.

Yeah, I think Buffalo, Rangers and Flames have the pieces they want to win now in a Pettersson deal, which in my opinion is a forward and a dman. Cozens though is a bit of a coin flip on how he does, which makes me think Rangers is where he ends up.

[traptor]

It comes down to cost.

Petterson would be a great add for the right price. But I don't think he's the perfect piece for us.

Frankly, I dont see the flames being willing to pony up what a few other teams will.

There will be better trading fits for us anyways over the next couple years.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Zac Jones is the latest Ranger to come out and express unhappiness at not playing
Always thought he had talent but he’s not really what the Flames need
Does seem like perhaps there is a fit for a massive deal between the Rangers and Canucks

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Zac Jones is the latest Ranger to come out and express unhappiness at not playing
Always thought he had talent but he’s not really what the Flames need
Does seem like perhaps there is a fit for a massive deal between the Rangers and Canucks

From Richmond as well could be a fit in Vancouver.